Combination suction cleaning tool



July l12, 1966 K E. LEINFELT COMBINATION SUCTION CLEANING TOOL 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 25, 19641 f l ll!) Illll) U n/J n?. 7 BY lan/IN VEN TOR.

l/fl/ July 12, 1966 Kv E. LEINFELT COMBINATION SUCTION CLEANING TOOL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 25, 1964 2E... I ak... i, A

INVENTOR. BY /w {M- W @7 A; /f/oI/r 3,259,934 CUMBINATION SUCTION CLEANING TOQL Karl Eric Leinfelt, Solna, Sweden, assignor to Aktiebolaj get Electrolux, Stockholm, Sweden, a corporation of Sweden Filed Aug. 2S, 1964, Ser. No. 391,979 Claims priority, application Canada, Sept. 16, 1963, 884,674 6 Claims. (Cl. 15--373) My invention relates to the vacuum cleaning art and more particularly to a double purpose cleaning tool.

In accordance with my invention I provide a cleaning tool which may be selectively employed as either a dusting brush or upholstery nozzle without disturbing its connection with the vacuum cleaner suction hose. The arrangement is preferably such that a rigid pipe or wand may be connected to the suction hose while the double purpose tool is still connected thereto. Consequently the tool may `be permanently secured to the hose and hence is always immediately available for use and cannot be mislaid or lost.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification and of which: Y

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a cleaning tool in accordance with my invention mounted on the end of a suction hose to which a rigid wand is also connected;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale of the tool and a portion of the hose and wand shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of one of the elements of the cleaning tool shown in the preceding tig-ures;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but with the wand removed and the 'brush partially extended;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7, but with the brush fully extended;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational View of the tool shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. l0 is a crosssectional view of the cleaning tool with the brush fully retracted and the upholstery nozzle parts extended to operative position; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

Referring first to FIG. l, reference character designates one end of a exible hose, the opposite end of which is adapted to be connected to any suitable vacuum cleaner. Afixed to the end 10 is a rigid curved tube 12. Mounted on the tube 12 is a double purpose cleaning tool designated generally by the reference character 14. A rigid conduit or wand 16 is connected at one end to tube 12 within the tool 14. The other end of wand 16 is connected to a similar wand 18 to which in turn is connected any suitable form of suction nozzle 20.

VAs is shown more particularly in FIGS. 2 through 6, cleaning tool 14 includes a hollow elongated double walled body 22 having an outer wall 24 and an inner wall 26 between which is formed an annular space 28 which is open at one end and is closed at the other. Adjacent to the closed end of space 28 the body 22 is formed with a smooth circular opening 27 through which extends the end of tube 12. An airtight joint is formed between op-ening 27 and tube 12 and the body is preferably permanently xed to the tube, as by being shrunk therearound. Axial United States Patent O ribs 29 extend inwardly from opening 27 in order to provide ample bearing surface so that the tool will not wobble on the tube.

As is shown in FIG. 2, the inner diameter of inner wall 26 is greater than the outer diameter of tube 12, whereby the end of wand 16 may be telescoped over a portion of tube 12 which is within the hollow body. The end of tube 12 is preferably tapered, as shown at 30 so that it may enter the wand 16 to provide an airtight but separable joint therewith.

Slidably mounted within the annular space 28 is a bristled ring 32 which is shown in elevation in FIG. 2. This ring is formed with a collar 33 having an annular recess in which is retained a ring 34 carrying bristles 36 which form a round brush. The length of the bristles is such that, when the ring 32 is fully retracted within the space 28, the ends of the bristles do not extend beyond the outer wall 24.

Extending axially from diametrically opposite points of collar 33 and spaced rad-ially from the rest of ring 32 are resilient arms 38 each 0f which is formed with an outwardly extending serrated .button 40. The end of each arm also carries a pair of circumferentially extending projections 42 which also extend radially outwardly a slight distance beyond the arms themselves, but not as tar as do the buttons 49. The outer wall 34 is formed with a pair of axially extending slots 44. As is shown more particularly in FIG. 9, the upper end of each slot is formed with circumferentially extending notches 46 of a size suiiicient to receive the projections 42. Likewise, similar notches 48 are formed near the lower end of each slot 44. The width of each slot is sucient to receive the buttons 40, but not the projections 42.

As is shown more particularly in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, a pair of wing members S0 is pivotally mounted at 52 to the outer wall 24 of hollow body 22 adjacent to the open end of annular recess 2S. Each wing member has formed in one face thereof between ribs 53 channels 54 which are closed at the outer end of member 50i, as is shown at 58, but which are open at the inner end. The

wing members 50 are pivotal through approximately 90 from the extended position shown in FIG. 10 to the retracted or folded position shown in FIG. 9, the outer surface of outer Wall 24 being recessed as is indicated at 60 to permit the members 50 to be partially received therein. When in extended position the inner ends of the members 50 extend across the open end of annular space 28 and the ribs S3 extend part way across the end of tube 12, but when in folded position the members are entirely radially outside the open end of the annular space.

With the parts in the position shown in FIGS. l and 2, the brush 36 is fully retracted within the annular space 28, the projections 42 being received in the notches 46 at the upper end of the slot 44 so as to retain the brush in this position. The wing members 50 are in retracted position so as to leave the open end of the hollow body 22 unobstructed. Consequently, it is possible to insert the wand 16 into the end of the hollow body 22 so that it may be telescopically connected to the end of tube 12. With the parts in this condition, and with .the wand 18 and nozzle 20 connected as shown in FIG. 1, the operator may grasp the bent tube 12 and move the suction nozzle 20 back and forth over the floor so as to clean the latter. Under these conditions the tool 14 is inactive, but is aixed to the tube 12 where it is ready for use at any time.

If it is desired to use the round brush, the wand 16 is disconnected from the tube 12 and the buttons 40 are pressed inwardly until vthe projections 42 are free of the notches 46. Thereupon, an axially directed force may be applied to the buttons 40 so as to slide the brush ring 32 downwardly within the annular space 28. In FIG. 7 the ring is shown at 32 in an intermediate position with the Patented July 12, 1966 Y bristles 26 extending part way out of the annular space ZS'and with the projections 42 sliding along the inner surface of outer wall 24 adjacent to the slot 44. Continued downward movement will bring the projections 42 into Valignment with Vthe notches 48 near the lower end of slot 44, whereupon the resiliency of the arms 38 will cause the projections 42 to snap into the notches, as is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,V thus locking thering inA its lowermost position with the bristles 26 fully extended.

The tool is now in condition to be used as a dusting brush, the operator holding curved tube 12 to manipulate the brush over surfaces to be cleaned.

If it is desired to use the tool as an upholstery nozzle, buttons 40 are depressed and an upward axial force applied thereto so as to Vslide the ring 32 to its fully retracted position, as shown in FIG. 10. The wing members 50 may then be individually pivoted to their Vextended positions, las shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. example, the tool is now applied to an upholstered surface air will be drawn into and along the channels 54 to the tube 12, whichair will pass over the surface to which the tool is applied, thus removing dirt therefrom. The wing members 50 may also be pivoted to any intermediate position so as to.closely conform with a curved surface, such as the arms of an upholstered chair.

' It will thus be seen that, in accordance with my invention, there is provided a tool which may be permanently attached to the hose and without interfering with the connection thereto of the wands, `which tool, without removing it from the hose, may be used selectivelyas a dusting brush or an upholstery nozzle.

While I have shown Vand described one more -or less specific embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that thisfhas been done for the purpose of illustration only, and that the scope of my inventionis not to be limited thereto, but-is to be determined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a vacuum cleaner tool, a hollow elongated double walled body, said walls forming an annular-space therebetween which is open at one end, a round` brushslidably.

If, for

on opposite sides of'said hollow body adjacent to VtheY open end of saidAV annular space and pivotal-between a position in which the wings extend alongside the exteriof of the outer of the double walls and a position in which the wings extend outwardly at right yangles thereto, each wing. member having a longitudinal channel formed'in the surfacethereof which faces away from said wall when the wingk is alongside thereof, said hollow body having an aperture at the end thereof'remote vfrom said open end, said aperture communicating with the interior of the inner. of said double Walls and adapted to receive a suction conduit.

2. In a vacuum cleaner tool, a hollow elongated double walled body, said walls forming an annularl space therebetween which is open at one end, a round brush slidably disposed in said space, means extending through a slot in the outer of saidwalls for movingsaid brush between a position in which it is extended out through said open end and a position in which it is retracted within said space, and a pair of wing members pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said hollow bodyv adjacent to the open end Vof said annular space and pivotal between a position in which the wings extend alongsidethetexterior of the outer of the double walls and a position in which the Wings extend outwardly at right angles thereto, each wing member having a longitudinal channel formed in the surface thereof whichfaces away from said walls when the wing is alongside thereof, said hollow body having an aperture at the end thereof remote from -said open end, said aperture communicating with the interior of the inner of said double walls and'adapted to receivel a suction conduit.w

3. In a vacuum cleaner tool, a hollow elongated double walled body, said walls forming an annular space therebetween which is open at one end, a round brush slidably disposed in said space, means accessible for manipulation at the exterior of said body for moving said brush between aposition in which it is extended out through said openend and a position in which it is retracted within said` space, a pair of wing members pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said hollow :body adjacent to the open end of said annular space and pivotal between a position in which the wingsl extendY alongside theexterior of the outer of the double walls and a position in which the wings extend outwardly at right angles thereto, each wing member having a longitudinal channel formed in the surface thereof which faces away from said wall when the wing is alongside thereof, said hollow body having.

an aperture at the end thereof remote from said open end,

said aperture communicating with, and having a diameter i less than that of, the interiory of the inner of said double walls and adapted to receive -a suction conduit, said con` duit extending through said aperture and into the interior of said double walled body, and a hollow wand member` telescopically connectable, with said conduit within said body.

4. In a vacuum cleaner tool, a hollow elongated double walled body, said walls forming an annular space therebetween which is open at one end, a round brush slidably disposed in said space, means extending through a slot in.

the outer of said Walls for moving said brush between a position in lwhich it is extended out through said open end and a position 'in which it is retracted within saidA space, said slot being notched at each end for releasable locking engagement withrsaid means for retaining saidv brush in either of said positions, and a pair of wing.

members pivotally mounted Yon opposite sides of said hollow body adjacent to the open end of said annular..

space and pivotaljbetween a position in which `thewings extend alongside the exterior of the outer of the .doublev walls and a position in which thewings extend outwardly at right angles thereto, each wing member havinga longitudinalchannel formed in the surface thereof which faces away from said wall when the wing is alongside` a resilient arm extending from said collar means through;

a slot in the outer of said walls, for moving said brush between a position in which it is extendedk out through said open end and a position in which it is retracted with-1 in saidspace, said slot being notched adjacent each end, for releasable locking engagement with said resilient armV for retaining said brush in either of said positions, and',4

a pair of wing members pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said hollow body adjacent to the open end of said annular space and pivotal between a position in which the wings extend alongside the exterior of the outer of the double walls .and a position in which the wings extend outwardly at right angles thereto, each wing member having a longitudinal channel formed in the surface Y thereof which faces away from said wall when the wing 1 is alongside thereof, said hollowbody having an aperture at the end thereof remote from said open end, said aperture communicating with the interior of the innerof said double walls and adapted to receive a suction conduit.

6. In a vacuum cleaner tool, a hollow elongated double walled body, said walls forming an annular space therebetween which is open at one end, a pair of wing members pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said hollow body adjacent to the open end of said annular Vspace and pivotal between a position in which the wings extend alongside the exterior of the outer of the double walls and a position in which the wings extend outwardly at right angles thereto and inwardly sufficiently to bridge the open end of said annular space, each wing member having a longitudinal channel formed in the surface thereof which faces away from said wall when the wing member is alongside thereof, said hollow body having an aperture at the end thereof remote from said open end, said aperture communicating with the interior of the inner of said double walls and adapted to receive a suction conduit, a round brush slidably disposed in said annular space, and means accessible for manipulation at the exterior of said space and operable when said wing members are alongside said outer wall for moving said brush from a position in which it is retracted Within said space to a position in which it is extended out through said open end.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 969,913 9/1910 Spencer 15-399 XR 2,351,507 6/1944 Hallock 15-415 3,108,311 10/1963 House 15-399 XR ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A VACUUM CLEANER TOOL, A HOLLOW ELONGATED DOUBLE WALLED BODY, SAID WALLS FORMING AN ANNULAR SPACE THEREBETWEEN WHICH IS OPEN AT ONE END, A ROUND BRUSH SLIDABLY DISPOSED IN SAID SPACE, MEANS ACCESSIBLE FOR MANIPULATION AT THE EXTERIOR OF SAID BODY FOR MOVING SAID BRUSH BETWEEN A POSITION IN WHICH IT IS EXTENDED OUT THROUGH SAID OPEN END AND A POSITION IN WHICH IT IS RETRACTED WITHIN SAID SPACE, AND A PAIR OF WING MEMBERS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID HOLLOW BODY ADJACENT TO THE OPEN END OF SAID ANNULAR SPACE AND PIVOTAL BETWEEN A POSITION IN WHICH THE WINGS EXTEND ALONGSIDE THE EXTERIOR OF THE OUTER OF THE DOUBLE WALLS AND A POSITION IN WHICH THE WINGS EXTEND OUTWARDLY AT RIGHT ANGLES THERETO, EACH WING MEMBER HAVING A LONGITUDINAL CHANNEL FORMED IN THE SURFACE THEREOF WHICH FACES AWAY FROM SAID WALL WHEN THE WING IS ALONGSIDE THEREOF, SAID HOLLOW BODY HAVING AN APERTURE AT THE END THEREOF REMOTE FROM SAID OPEN END, SAID APERTURE COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOR OF THE INNER OF SAID DOUBLE WALLS AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A SUCTION CONDUIT. 